one of the most famous of the first race of Saracen leaders, was descended of Aafi, of the tribe of Koreish, by a notorious prostitute. In his youth he indulged in poetry, and wrote satirical verses against the person and doctrine of Mahomet. His zeal in opposing the new religion prompted him to undertake an embassy to the king of Ethiopia, to stimulate him against the converts whom he had taken under his protection. It is uncertain by what arguments he was induced to change his religious sentiments; but he returned a convert to the Mahometan faith, and, along with Caled, joined the fugitive prophet at Medina. The military talents of Amru had begun to attract general attention, when Abubeker resolved to make a new attack upon Syria, in which he obtained the chief command. After several displays of his military valour and address in some successful enterprises, he rose to the elevated station of chief in Irak, when Caled requested the attendance of all the Arabian generals before Damascus. During the caliphate of Omar, he also served in Palestine, under Abu Obeidah. While besieging Caesarea, he held a memorable conference with Constantine, the son of the emperor Heraclius. Historians mention that their time was chiefly occupied in producing genealogical arguments to prove the affinity of the Greeks and Arabs, and the consequent rights of the latter as their descendants. Amru concluded with the candid declaration, "That the Arabians were tired of living in..." Amru-ebn. in their scorching deserts, and were resolved to re-enter into the possession of the delightful country which was the inheritance of their forefathers." He withdrew from the conference, after denouncing perpetual enmity against the Greeks, unless they should either become converts to the Mahometan faith or tributaries to that government. In the year of the Hegira 17, A.D. 638, Amru took Caesarea, and reduced to subjection all the maritime towns of Syria.

After the death of Obeidah, Amru assumed the chief command in Syria, in which he was confirmed by the caliph, notwithstanding the opposition of Othman. An expedition against Egypt being formerly resolved upon, Amru wrote to the caliph, informing him that he would instantly march into Egypt. During the progress of his march, attended only by 4000 Arabs, a messenger from Omar arrived with a letter, containing directions to return, if he should receive this letter in the territories of Syria; but if he should receive it in those of Egypt, he might advance, and all needful assistance would be instantly sent him. Anticipating the contents, he hastened on to the frontiers of Egypt, and read the instructions of the caliph. Then requesting some of the inhabitants to be brought before them, and inquiring at them in what country they were, and being informed that they were in Egypt, Amru replied, "Let us, then, continue our march." Having taken Pharma, he advanced to Mifrah, the ancient Memphis, and besieged it during the space of seven months. Although numerous reinforcements arrived, he would have found it very difficult to storm the place previous to the inundation of the Nile, if Mokawkas had not treacherously lessened the forces of the citadel, which was accordingly taken by storm; and the Greeks who remained there were either made prisoners or put to the sword. On the same spot Amru erected a city named Foflat, the ruins of which are now known by the name of Old Cairo. The Coptic Christians, who composed the great majority of the Egyptian natives, and who were enemies to the Catholic Greeks, after this victory submitted to Amru, and engaged to provide quarters and support for the Musulman army.

Amru pursued the Greeks to Alexandria, and, after an obstinate and bloody siege of 14 months, the city was taken, A.D. 640. During the siege, the general, along with one of his officers and a slave, was taken prisoner, and brought before the governor, who was at that time ignorant of the value of his prisoner. The manner, however, in which the general at first conducted himself induced the governor to suppose that he was a person of rank, therefore he ordered him to be beheaded. This order would have immediately been carried into effect, had not the slave, who understood the Greek tongue, in which the command was given, fortunately chastised the imprudent language of Amru by giving him a box on the ear. This circumstance changed the mind of the governor, and obtained a repeal of his order. By an engagement to propose an accommodation, the captive officer obtained the release of all the three; and the acclamations of the army on the return of their general first informed the governor of his egregious mistake. Amru prevailed upon his soldiers to refrain from the pillage of Alexandria, and to content themselves with the preservation of the money, jewels, and other valuable articles, to defray the expense of the war. Amru was disposed to preserve the famous library, and to have given it in a present to John the grammarian, but, by the command of the caliph, he was obliged to commit it to the flames. If the relation is not exaggerated, such was the number of books in that famous library, that they afforded fuel to 5000 baths during the space of six months.

The capital being taken, all Egypt soon fell into the hands of the conqueror. Amru observed a wise and equitable policy, although his pecuniary demands were great. Egypt became the storehouse to furnishing Arabia, and camels carrying provisions covered the whole road from Memphis to Medina. Amru also employed his army in opening the canal from the Nile to the Red sea. The adjacent parts of Africa next felt the conquering power of Amru, but, upon the elevation of Othman, he was succeeded in the government of Egypt by Abdallah-ebn-Said. The inhabitants were so displeased with this change, that they formed a confederacy, and delivered up the city to a Grecian fleet. Amru was dispatched in haste to retake Alexandria, which, after an obstinate defence, was taken with great slaughter. The general at length interposed his authority, the slaughter was checked, and upon the spot where the massacre ceased the Mosque of Mercy was erected. To prevent future rebellion, he dismantled the town, and was again succeeded by Abdallah; and he himself retired to Medina.

When Ali ascended the throne, he became an adversary, and united himself to the interest of Moawiyah, whom he acknowledged caliph, and swore allegiance to him. Ali proposed to decide the quarrel by single combat, and the valour of Amru inclined him to urge his master to accept of the proposal; but Moawiyah positively declined the challenge. Amru, however, continued firm to the interest of Moawiyah, and took possession of Egypt in his name, having defeated the governor of Ali. About this time, he fortunately escaped assassination by the hands of the frantic Chaldeites, who had marked him out as one of the three who, by their death, were to restore peace to the contending parties. The assassin waited his arrival at the mosque, but being prevented by a fit of the colic, his friend who was sent to officiate for him was slain in his stead.

In the year 663, of the Hegira 43, he died in his government of Egypt, highly esteemed, and much regretted by his countrymen. In a pathetic oration to his children on his deathbed, he bitterly lamented his youthful offence in satirizing the prophet, although Mahomet had forgiven the offence, and had frequently affirmed "that there was no Musulman more sincere and steadfast in the faith than Amru." It is reported, that one day the caliph desired to see the sword of Amru, which had cut in pieces so many Christians. Amru drew his sword, which was a short and common scimitar; and when Omar manifested signs of unusual surpise, he exclaimed, "Alas! the sword itself, without the arm of its master, is neither sharper nor more weighty than the sword of Pharezdak the poet." The greatness of the man, the firmness of the friend, the valour of the general, the policy of the statesman, and the sanctity of the Mahometan morality, were united in the character of Amru. (Mod. Univ. Hist. Gen. Biol.)